Shelter magazines have been letting me down lately- a bevy of them just full of way too lofty, astronomically high end and even flat out disappointing features. I was delighted to find the new issue of House Beautiful to be quite interesting this month though- one I didn’t just absentmindedly flip through! A total mix of styles and sizes, I found myself looking at it a couple times and reading more of the articles, which honestly I haven;t felt compelled to do in a while!

My favorite space was the smallest one- which is no surprise as I LOVE tiny things. Tiny houses, tiny animals– you name it, if it’s super small I am ON BOARD. This space was a unique top floor one bedroom in Manhattan that was gutted and renovated to create the most soothing, simple space ever- and BONUS, it has one hell of a roofdeck. Please pardon my crappy iPhone snaps and pick up the issue to see them for real :)

One of my brothers tagged me in an Instagram picture he took of a visit to Faribault Woolen Mills in Faribault, MN the other day. He suggested I check out the company’s story- and I had to share it with you too. In a time when so many products are made overseas, I love finding small businesses that still craft their goods in America. And Faribault has an interesting story too- founded in 1865 this mill is the last standing vertical mill in the US. Still in the same location, and using many century old machines alongside new technology to craft these gorgeous blankets and throws. In 2009 the mill had to close but in 2011 two local businessmen rescued it, reopened it and since then it’s been a wonderful comeback story! George Clooney ordered blankets for the cast of one of his movies, they were featured on ABC’s World News Tonight and now they’ve landed an amazing deal with another very famous Minnesota company (more on that after the jump…)

There is nothing that helps give life and color to a space then flowers. Really, look at any interior spread and cover the flowers or greenery with your hand and see how the magic just drains out of the photos. So I love anything and everything floral related. My project manager Lindsey alerted me to this awesome local company, Fivefork Farms, that offers a genius concept of a sustainable flower CSA. What a lovely treat to yourself to receive a weekly bouquet or bucket of beautiful flowers (if you prefer doing your own arrangements), and BONUS, you are supporting a small farm! LOVE. IT. Take a peek at this idyllic, wonderful farm and it’s flowers. Check here for options and pick up locations and sign up for next spring!

I find that when it comes to dishware and glassware I have always played it safe. I’ve said it before, a major wedding registry regret of mine was not going bold with a classic, colorful china pattern. While there is something clean and easy about all white dishes and simple clear glass stemware and bar ware- I am deathly bored by it. Which is why I am still plotting to get myself these dinner plates once my renovation is done and have fallen in LOVE with these beautiful glasses from The Little Market (Lauren Conrad’s shop). Handmade in Mexico and PERFECT for summer, they have gorgeous patterns (I prefer the more vine-like one) that would spice up any dinnerware set.